Looking for First Porsche

Paul Fix · 07-19-2006, 06:22 AM

I'm 16 and looking for my first Porsche. Has anyone looked at the 75 911s under the "one owner 911" ads? Would this be a good car for a first timer? What should I look out for on this car, or any car for that matter. I have saved about 5000 washing dishes and splitting fire wood for my first Porsche, and I want to buy smart.

Paul

Rich76_911s · Rich76_911s's Garage

Hey Paul,

I can't seem to find the car you are referring to.

Make sure that any car that passes your initial inspection has a thorough Pre Purchase Inspection done to it by a shop specializing in Porsche's. You can find a 911SC in the 8 to 10K range, but these cars will require a lot of work and a lot of money going into them. With 74 to 77 911's you have to be aware that the original 2.7L engine is not the most reliable, and if signiificant work has not been done to the case they are notoriously bad. Sometimes you can find one that has been updated to a 3.0L or 3.2L engine. Watch out for rust! Sometime in the middle of 1976 911's began to be galvanized. Earlier than that they have a stronger tendancy to rust. Rust happens frequently around the battery, the jack insertion tubes, rocker panels, and anywhere the wheels spit water. Get Bruce Andersons book Porsche 911 performance handbook. He has a full chapter about purchasing your first porsche. Good luck.

Rich

Paul Fix · 07-19-2006, 12:24 PM

thanks rich,

the car i was referring to is on page 3 of Cars for sale in the classified section (on the home page) the subscriber's name is 1owner911

paul

Rich76_911s · Rich76_911s's Garage

Hey Paul,

Have you been in contact with the seller at all? There aren't a lot of details in the ad. 5k for a mid year is not too bad. I would still suggest getting a thorough PPI done on the car. You have to check for rust on a mid year that has been in Florida. It is humid and salty there which can really accellerate rusting. Take a look at my links below to see areas that are notorious for rusting in 911's! I would assume that you will have to ship the car too so add that into your calculations, plus a flight down to florida to see the car. I would be tenative about driving a car from florida to wisconsin. See if there are any records of service work that has been done to the car. One big issue that you have is that at 5k you are using all of your savings so if something goes wrong, and it can, your new car will be a sitting duck. IF it is going to be your second car and you are going to slowly work on it and have a running 911 to play with it could be a decent deal, but I would not want it as my only transportation. If you really like the car talk to the seller and set up a pre - purchase - inspection. I am sure if you ask on the 911 tech forum someone can give you a reccomendation for a good mechanic in florida to do the inspection. A good PPI will cost about $300. I WOULD NOT reccomend buying the car without a good PPI. You've worked really hard to save 5k I wouldn't want it to go to waste.

Just so you know I bought my brown 911 with my savings and didn't get a PPI (I'm 28 so it took me about 10 years to get to the point you are at), and have since found significant rust, and accident damage. Had I gotten a PPI done I would have known this before handing over my hard earned $$$. Trust me you don't want to walk down that road! Get a PPI done. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.

Cheers
Rich

anthony · 07-20-2006, 02:14 PM

I'd honestly suggest that you keep saving with only $5K to spend. $5K doesn't buy a decent 911.

As previously stated, you probably don't want a 2.7L car unless the engine was correctly rebuilt.

You can find higher mileage SCs (usually with some cosmetic issues) for $8K and up. The only problem with a car like that is you are probably looking at $2-3K just to get it sorted out (shocks, bushings, seats, brakes, etc. - the usual neglected wear items).

After the initial sorting out you are probably looking at $1000-$1500 per year (on average) for maintenance. That may be $500 one year and then $4000 the next year. You just need to be prepared.

If you want a Porsche now, I'd honestly look for a nice 914 at around $5K. They are easy to work on, have a 911 front suspension, and you can keep them running cheap if you get hooked into the local 914 community.

GothingNC · 07-20-2006, 02:35 PM

$5,000 seems like a good deal.
Drive it for about a year or so and part it out when the motor or clutch goes kaput or find a used 3.0 or 3.2 to replace the 2.7.

Plus of you wreck the car you will probably get more from the insurance company then what you paid for it.

But as Rich stated, This probably would not be a good car as a daily driver.

I missed out on an 85 Carrera Coupe with a G-50 conversion and total motor rebuild with about 20,000 miles on it. 245,000 miles, worn interior and suspension was shot. Body was straight and paint was decent and the A/C worked great !!. Sold for $9,000.

I'm sure that the 2.7 has already been rebuilt on the 75 if it's already above 70,000 miles with the Florida heat.

Doug Steinel · Doug Steinel's Garage

Paul,
I second Anthony's suggestion... start with a 914. Buy one for $3k and use your $2k to buy part/tools and get your hands dirty. Fix it up and learn. In a couple of years, sell the 914 and move up to a 911. If you become attached to the 914, you might want to do a 911 enigne conversion in it.

In a couple of years, you will have the funds from the 914 if you sell it, more earning power, and experience on working on air cooled Porsches.
Then move up to a 911.

I admire your youthful enthusiasm.

Doug

HelmetHead · HelmetHead's Garage

Paul,
I was in your shoes until last nite

I wanted the 911...couldn't find the "One" for my budget...

Last nite I picked up a low mileage numbers matching running/driving/inspected 1970 914 for under 2K....(kinda feel like I stole something...heheheh)

plan on learning the ins/outs of the unibody while doing some small rust repair on the typical areas.... Stiffining the chassis...upgrading suspension components to early 80's 911 and find a decent deal on 3.2 motor....

Good luck on your Porsche quest......when the time is right...you'll get one!!!!

HelmetHead

1970 914-4

mschnittker · 07-23-2006, 05:03 AM

Get the PPI!!! Contact the tech chairman of your local PCA chapter if you don't know where to go to. If there is bad rust or accident damage the inspector will know in the first ten minutes so you won't be out $300 maybe only $70 or whatever they charge for an hour's work. VERY WORTH IT! Do not fall in love with the car! Do not convince yourself it is ok when it is not! Another car will come, they always do!

Doug Steinel · Doug Steinel's Garage

Paul, here you go for your first Porsche.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=297734

Seahawk · 08-13-2006, 05:01 AM

The 914 suggestion is excellent...I would also look at a 912. My first Porsche was a 912 and I loved it. Easy to work on.

racer · 08-14-2006, 02:35 PM

911's can be cheap to buy.. they can be incredibly expensive to maintain and repair. I think 5K would find you a much more solid 914 or 944 than it would a 911.

The thing to understand is if you spend all your money on the car, you will have no money to fix or improve it. See line #1 above about repair costs... Most folks would consider wanting/needing $2-3K available to bring the car "up to snuff" regardless of original condition. If a long term project is what you want, and can "afford" to live with, have at it!

A well maintained $3500 944 or 914 would allow you the cushion to still fix anything when something goes wrong.. Oh, and how much would insurance be for a 16 yo?

Don't take this as a wet blanket. I bought a 914 when I was 16. Loved the whole experience. (well, maybe not the lack of heat when it was snowing outside, but I still have the memories!)